Christian (remember not one, ball all these defintions together)
1. Professing belief in Jesus as Christ or following the religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus.
2. Relating to or derived from Jesus or Jesus's teachings.
3. Manifesting the qualities or spirit of Jesus; Christlike.
4. Relating to or characteristic of Christianity or its adherents.
5. Showing a loving concern for others; humane.
n.
1. One who professes belief in Jesus as Christ or follows the religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus.
2. One who lives according to the teachings of Jesus.
Even the Dictionary knows what a Christian is, the Bible clearly teaches us what it menas to be a Christian, why then do people use the term so loosely. Claiming that this or that is a Christian when you clearly are aware of what a Christian is?
2007-01-06 04:47:32 · 17 answers · asked by Stacey B 2 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
I was just more cuious about why people who believe other things other than what the defintion of a Christian really is, they claim to still be a Christian.
2007-01-06 04:53:58 · update #1
I am a Christian, and I know what it means to be one.
2007-01-06 04:56:04 · update #2
A true Christian is a person that has put their faith and trust in what the Lord Jesus Christ did for them on the cross. He died for their sins, He was buried and took their sins away and He rose again for their justification. He did it all. 1 Corinthians 15: 3 For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; 1 Corinthians 15: 4 And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures: Romans 4: 25 Who was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification.
2007-01-06 04:52:39 · answer #1 · answered by Ray W 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If it is, as beckyriz531 says, believing in Jesus as the Messiah, then Muslims, Baha'is and some Hindus are actually Christians.
In practice however, a Christian is someone who believes in Jesus as the Messiah but at the same time refuses to accept other Prophets who come after Jesus Christ. Otherwise, they would be Muslims or Baha'is. That still leaves Hare Krishnas as Christians, since Krishna lived thousands of years before Jesus Christ. However, most Christians refuse to accept the scriptures of other religions as valid, so they would probably exclude Hare Krishnas from that category, even though Hare Krishnas are devoted believers in Jesus.
I'm a Baha'i and believe that Jesus Christ has returned in the Glory of the Father in the person of Baha'u'llah. Since I believe in Muhammad, the Bab and Baha'u'llah, who came AFTER Jesus Christ, I'm not a Christian. Nevertheless, I am a strong and fervent believer in Jesus Christ as the Messiah.
BTW, in relation to the false prophets quote above, remember that Jesus Christ said "Ye shall know them by their fruits." False prophets are obviously fake because of the evil fruits they produce.
Muhammad, the Bab and Baha'u'llah produced only good fruits and are, by any Biblical definition, true prophets of God.
2007-01-06 12:57:50 · answer #2 · answered by darth_maul_8065 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Sadly, many, many people claim the belief in Jesus as the Messiah, the Christ, but do not participate in living according to the teachings of Jesus. And that is how Christianity is getting such a bad name.
2007-01-06 12:53:55 · answer #3 · answered by free 1 indeed 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Definition 5 "Showing a loving concern for others; humane" was clearly written by someone who wasn't very familiar with the Bible or Christian history. How can someone say that the Inquisition was "humane"? When Jesus cursed the fig tree because it didn't provide him fruit out of season, was that out of "loving concern"? Ridiculous.
A Christian is one who follows some variant of the Jesus Christ saviour mythology. That's about as defined as it's going to get.
2007-01-06 12:52:42 · answer #4 · answered by godlessinaz 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I agree with you 100%, and isn't it a curious observation that many who profess to be Christians don't even know what or why they believe themselves to be Christians. It is surprising how when we sometimes ask a simple question its like opening up a bag of worms. The dictionary definition is good enough but personally as a Christian I believe that a Christian is one who believes in Christ as their Savior, who lives according to His Word, who's actions are done with His love, who's purpose is to be the example of Christ to others. Christianity is having a relationship and a lifestyle with and in Christ, having nothing to do with religion.
2007-01-06 13:49:57 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I''m not a Christian because I believe the truth is not so narrow of a view as just the Bible. I know enough of the meaning of Christianity that I know I'm not a follower.
2007-01-06 12:53:16 · answer #6 · answered by crystal89431 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Hi,
I truly think a christian is someone who believes in a higher power. They have to be saved, by asking Jesus to take charge off their life. They have to believe that Jesus will lead them down the right path. Try joining a christian church, practice what the bible teaches us.
2007-01-06 12:57:00 · answer #7 · answered by Bernie M 1 · 0⤊ 1⤋
THE SECRET OF CHRISTIANITY !
1 GOD became a man !
2 HE was perfect in all ways !
3 HE was seen by angels as HE was
originally (THE GOD), and as a man !
4 HE taught the non Jewish ( as well as many Jews) !
5 HIS teachings were (and are) believed by MANY people !
6 HE returned to HIS place - we call that place heaven !
This is The Entire Story required to become
A TRUE CHRISTIAN
2007-01-06 12:52:37 · answer #8 · answered by whynotaskdon 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Meaning in a dictionary is different and being a christian is different. Honestly, how many christian s really lead a christ like life? dont fool yourself
2007-01-06 12:52:42 · answer #9 · answered by mamakumar 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If all people are clearly aware of what a Christian is, why did you need to look it up?
What actual qualities or explanations of Christianity that have been expressed do you disagree with here?
2007-01-06 12:51:49 · answer #10 · answered by Deirdre H 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋